Regulatory mechanisms of triterpenoid biosynthesis in plants

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26450123
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied biochemistry
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: SEKI HIKARU 大阪大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (30392004)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 植物トリテルペノイド / 生合成 / プロモーター / 転写因子 / シトクロムP450モノオキシゲナーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Biosynthesis of triterpenoids is strictly regulated, as it is often limited to specific organs or tissues, or induced in response to external stimuli. However, the regulatory mechanism of triterpenoid biosynthesis is largely unknown. Glycyrrhizin is a triterpenoid saponin produced by Glycyrrhiza species (licorice) that is widely used as a medicine and natural sweetener.　In addition to glycyrrhizin, licorice also produces other types of triterpenoids, such as soyasaponins. To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms behind tissue-type- and stimuli-dependent triterpenoid metabolism in licorice, we aimed to identify transcription factors (TFs) regulating the expression of triterpenoid biosynthetic genes. As a result, we identified a TF able to transactivate the CYP93E3 promoter by approximately 30-fold to promote soyasaponins biosynthesis.

Free Research Field

植物二次代謝